March 04 2021 For years, rank-and-file civic life bureau staff have been sounding alarms about abusive managers. With a new commissioner at the helm, they're hoping someone's ready to listen. In January, the Office of Community & Civic Life — a Portland city bureau long lamented as a catch-all for city services — landed in the lap of an unexpecting Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty. Looking to meet her new staff, Hardesty called her first all-staff meeting two weeks ago. All bureau members were invited except one: Director Suk Rhee. Hardesty, who took on oversight of the office after the mayor reshuffled bureau assignments, said she wanted to create a "safe space" for staff members. Still, no one spoke.